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What are some of the classical references for instituting Hallel b'zman hazeh? And in a more discussion-oriented vein, what kind of miracle do you think it would take for the vast majority of klal Yisrael to agree on a new day for Hallel? Clearly Yom Ha'atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim have not yet caught on in the broader charedi/yeshivish communities.

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Why do you write "not yet caught on"? First of all, no Rabbanim institute additions and changes in tefillah based on what will "catch on". Secondly, who says those days will ever be respected by the haredi/yeshivish communities? – Yahu May 25 '10 at 18:13
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@Yahu, I suppose Jeremy is saying that those communities have not embraced those two dates as worthy of celebration, certainly not so great as to warrant additions to prayers, and I suppose the question is, what exactly would be deemed so great a miracle as to stir those communities (and everyone else in sync with them) to institute additional prayers of thanksgiving to HaShem? – Seth J Apr 26 '12 at 21:01

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Classical texts (Rishonim) that I've seen talk about an obligation to say Hallel in recognition of great events benefiting the Jewish People.

As far as what it would take for agreement on a new day of Hallel, I personally think that Chanukkah is a great example. Like Yom Haatzmaut, it marked a return to Jewish sovereignty. But also similarly, there were many people, including some of the "Gedolim" of that generation who were very anti Chashmonaim. This is reflected in the Mishna's exclusion of Chanuka completely and the Gemara's relatively minor mention of it.

But eventually all Jews came to celebrate it. Also, in the Charedi community change is very very slow. I personally think that eventually the vast majority of Jews will come to celebrate Yom Haatzmaut, probably even with Hallel, but it will probably take another few decades.

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Meir, Welcome to mi.yodeya, and thanks very much for this perspective! I look forward to seeing you around. – Isaac Moses Dec 12 '10 at 21:05
I think you are underestimating the degree of the opposition of some groups to the existence of the State of Israel, as well as the degree of danger that the State faces every day, not to mention the demographic trends that suggest that those who do celebrate it will likely become the minority in a few generations (assuming both that the State survives and that the final Geulah doesn't come about by then). – Seth J Apr 26 '12 at 21:03
I don't believe that R' Yehuda Hanasi didn't celebrate chanuka. – Shmuel Brin Apr 27 '12 at 6:42
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There is a famous Meiri (Rishon) which says that if an individual or a community experienced a salvation, they may recite Hallel every year on that day without a bracha. This is why some people say Hallel without a Bracha on Yom Hatzmaut.

מאירי פסחים קיז.‏
כל יחיד שאירעתהו צרה ונגאל הימנה רשאי לקבוע הלל לעצמו באותו יום בכל שנה אלא שאינו מברך עליו וכן הדין בכל ציבור וצבור כך היה יסוד נביאים לאמרו על כל צרה וצרה כשנגאלים ממנה.‏

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why the downvote? Also, do you have a source for the Meiri? – Menachem Apr 27 '12 at 3:35
Don't know why the downvote, the meiri is pesachim 117a. – sam Apr 27 '12 at 4:33

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